The Effect of an Active Diluent on the Properties of Epoxy Resin and Unidirectional Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastics

The influence of an active diluent on the properties of an epoxy matrix and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) is investigated. The physicomechanical properties of an ED-20 epoxy resin modified with diglycidyl ether of diethylene glycol (DEG-1), the adhesion strength at the epoxy matrix–steel wire interface, and the mechanical properties of unidirectional CFRP are determined. The concentration of DEG-1 was varied from 0 to 50 wt.%. The properties of the matrix, the interface, and the composites are compared. It is stated that the matrix strength affects the strength of unidirectional CFRP in bending and not their strength in tension, compression, and shear. The latter fact seems somewhat unexpected. The interlaminar fracture toughness of the composites investigated correlates with the ultimate elongation of the binder. A comparison between the concentration dependences of adhesion strength and the strength of CFRP shows that the matrices utilized provide such a high interfacial strength that the strength of CFRP no longer depends on the adhesion of its constituents.     

Effect of surface modification of fibers with a polymer coating on the interlaminar shear strength of a composite and the translation of fiber strength in an F-12 aramid/epoxy composite vessel

The surface of aramid fibers was modified with a polymer coating — a surface treatment reagent containing epoxy resin. The resulting fibers were examined by using NOL tests, hydroburst tests, and the scanning electron microscopy. The modified fibers had a rougher surface than the untreated ones. The interlaminar shear strength of an aramid-fiber-reinforced epoxy composite was highest when the concentration of polymer coating system was 5%. The translation of fiber strength in an aramid/epoxy composite vessel was improved by 8%. The mechanism of the surface treatment of fibers in improving the mechanical properties of aramid/epoxy composites is discussed. Russian translation publeshed in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 729–738, November–December, 2006.     

Effects of temperature and moisture on the mechanical properties of polyester resin in tension

The effect of environment on the physical and mechanical properties of composite materials in some cases is determined by the environmental sensitivity of the binder. The results of experimental investigation of the deformability and strength of polyester resin, widely used as a binder in composites, upon the action of stationary and quasi-stationary loads, temperatures, and moisture are presented. The ranges of acceptable values of these services factors are determined. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of the material are obtained from quasi-static tests. The viscoelastic behavior of the resin is investigated in creep tests. From the results of a short-term experiment with stepwise loading up to failure, it is found that the creep of specimens with a moisture content of 0.14% can be described by a linear viscoelastic model for stresses up to 20 MPa (two thirds of the strength). The action of single loading impulses is summarized according to the Boltzmann superposition principle. The temperature and absorbed moisture are considered as factors accelerating the relaxation processes in the material. The creep activation under the action of these factors is described using the methods of time-temperature and time-moisture equivalence. The results of short-term creep tests allow us to determine the relaxation characteristics of the material in stationary conditions. The long-term creep under close-to-service conditions is predicted using these data and quite good agreement with the control test is obtained. The sensitivity of the material characteristics (strength, elastic modulus, and creep strain) to the action of temperature and moisture is estimated. The creep strain is most sensitive to the action of environmental factors. For a fully saturated material (moisture content 1.64 wt.%), after one hour creep, this strain four times exceeds that of a dry one. The same growth in deformability is caused by an 18°C increase in temperature. A quantitative comparison of the characteristics of polyester and epoxy resins allows us to choose the binder for composites and to estimate the expected environmental effect. Presented at the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000). Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 395–406, May–June, 2000.     

The effect of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> fullerene on the toughening of epoxy compositions

The effect of C₆₀ fullerene on the mechanical properties of epoxy resins has been investigated. It is found that this filler affects the tensile modulus and tensile strength of epoxy compositions only slightly, but their impact strength at a 0.01–0.12 wt.% content of C₆₀ increases by about 100–200%. A molecular mechanism of the toughening effect of C₆₀ on epoxy resins is suggested.     

Water Resistance of Polyester Polymer Concrete

The results of experimental investigation of polyester resin and polymer concrete at a long-term (four-year) exposure to water and air with 98% RH are presented. The polymer concrete was composed of a polyester resin as a binder, lime flour, quartz sand, and granite chips. The resin content in concrete was 20 wt.%. The features of sorption properties of the materials investigated are discussed. Data on the water effect on the compressive strength in short-term loading are reported. The creep tests of virgin polymer-concrete specimens were carried out for five years at different stress levels from 0.11 to 0.44 of the short-term prismatic strength. The effect of moisture on the creep behavior was also studied.     

Mechanism of failure of reinforced beams in bending

The mechanism of shear failure is investigated. A theoretical analysis makes it possible to determine the limits of shear failure of reinforced beams in relation to the geometric parameters of the beam, the mechanical properties of the reinforcement and the resin, their volume content, and the loading and support conditions. The results obtained are consistent with the experimental data of [1]. It is shown that in the process of shear failure the axial displacement distribution is modified and that the shear failure mechanism depends on the type of loading and the support conditions.Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Novosibirsk. Translated from Mekahnika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 698–709, July–August, 1973.     

Deformability and strengh of expanded polystyrene (EPS) under short-term shear loading

Data obtained in investigating the ultimate strength and deformability of expanded polystyrene under short-term shear loading according to EN 12090 are discussed. Linear regression equations are used for describing the ultimate shear strength and modulus in relation to the density of EPS. A correlation is found to exist between the ultimate strength of EPS and its density and specimen thickness. An empirical dependence between the shear modulus and density of EPS is established. The strains corresponding to the conditional limit of proportionality and to the ultimate shear strength of EPS in short-term loading are determined. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 121–134, January–February, 2007.     

The effect of fullerene fillers on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites

The effect of fullerene and carbon fillers on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites based on thermoreactive (epoxy resin) and thermoplastic (polyamide-12) matrices was investigated. It was found that the introduction of these fillers did not affect the properties of the thermoreactive blends, but Young’s modulus and the tensile strength of the thermoplastic ones increased by about 30-40% upon addition of 0.02-0.08 wt.% fullerene materials. The best results were obtained for a mixture of C ₆₀/C ₇₀.     

Correlation between the strength of fiber-reinforced plastics and the adhesive strength of fiber—Matrix joints

The relationship between the strength (σc) of unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastics in different stressed states and the interfacial strength of their components is investigated. The shear adhesive strength (τ0) of fiber—matrix joints determined by the pull-out technique is used as a measure of the interfacial strength. To obtain the correlation curves betweenσc andτ0, the experimental results are used, where both the plastic and adhesive strength change under the influence of a single factor. In this case, such factors are the fiber surface treatment, nature and composition of polymer matrices, and test temperature. It is shown that the strength of the glass, carbon, and boron plastics increases practically linearly with increased interfacial strength. Such a behavior is observed in any loading conditions (tension, shear, bending, and compression). Sometimes, a small (10–20%) increase in the adhesive strength induces a significant (50–70%) growth in the material strength. Therefore, the interface is the “weak link” in these composites. The shape of theσc—τ0 curves for composites based on the high-strength and high-modulus aramid fibers and different thermoreactive matrices depends on the nature of the fiber and the type of stress state. In many cases, the composite strength does not depend on the interfacial strength. Then, the fiber itself is the “weak link” in these composites. Submitted to the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000). Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 291–304, May–June, 2000.     

Some physical and mechanical properties of recycled polyurethane foam blends

Blends of secondary rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) with soft polyurethane foams (SPUFs) were investigated. The effect of SPUF content and its chemical nature on some physical and mechanical properties of the blends was evaluated. Owing to the stronger intermolecular interaction and higher values of cohesion energy, the blends of RPUFs with polyester SPUFs showed higher mechanical properties than those with polyether SPUFs. The density, hardness, ultimate strength, and the tensile, shear, and flexural moduli increased, while the impact toughness, ultimate elongation, and damping characteristics decreased with increasing RPUF content in the blends. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 737–746, September–October, 2008.     

Interfacial strength of joints between fibers and dispersedly filled epoxy matrices

The concentration dependences of adhesive strength are investigated for fiber/dispersedly filled epoxy matrix systems. The measurements were carried out using an improved model of adhesiometer under normal conditions at a constant rate of loading. It is shown that the adhesive strength as a function of filler concentration has a maximum, which is more or less pronounced. The location of the maximum depends on the nature of filler and particle geometry. The increase in the adhesive strength at the maximum reaches 20–30% in comparison with that for the unfilled epoxy matrix. Since the interfacial strength between steel wire and all the mineral powders investigated is zero, the growth in the adhesive strength upon introduction of a finely divided filler in polymer binders is rather un expected. The possible reasons for the phenomenon observed are discussed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 3–14, January–February, 2007.     

Properties of a composite prepared using a concentrate of carbon nanotubes in polyethylene

Results of an investigation into the properties of polyethylene (PE) with small, no more than 5 wt.%, additions of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported. Specimens of the composite were prepared using a concentrate containing 31.6 wt.% of nanotubes in the polyethylene matrix. The concentrate was fabricated by a patent in situ polymerization method. Experimental data on the influence of CNT additions on the thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry, the crystallinity of the polyethylene matrix, and the indices of mechanical properties (yield stress, strength, elastic modulus, ultimate elongation, and long-term creep) of PE/CNT composite are obtained. A theoretical analysis of elastic properties of the PE/CNT composite was carried out by using the Mori–Tanaka theory of an equivalent medium. The calculation results are compared with experimental data.     

Thermal conductivity of micro-and nanostructural epoxy composites at low temperatures

The thermal conductivity of epoxy composites containing not only the traditional fillers quartz, talc, carbon black, and aerosil, but also the very promising carbon nanomaterials is investigated. Two kinds of carbon nanomaterials — multi-wall (MWNT) and single-wall (SWNT) carbon nanotubes — were considered. The influence of their content (from 0.05 to 3.0 wt.%) on the thermal conductivity of MWNT-epoxy composites was studied. The thermal conductivity of epoxy composites was examined in the temperature range from −150 to 150°C. It was found that the introduction of 0.1–1.0 wt.% MWNT enhanced the thermal conductivity of pure epoxy resin by about 40%. A further increase in content of the nanotubes decreased the thermal conductivity. This can be explained by the worsening of nanotube dispersion at their high concentrations. The maximum growth in the thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites, on the entire range of temperatures considered, was observed at a 0.1 wt.% content of MWNT. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 117–126, January–February, 2008.     

Nanocomposites based on a styrene-acrylate copolymer and organically modified montmorillonite 1. Mechanical properties

The preparation of polymer nanocomposites by mixing a solution of a styrene-acrylate copolymer with a suspension of organically modified montmorillonite in dimethyl formamide is described. Seven different compositions with organomontmorillonite content from 0 to 7 wt.% were prepared and tested. Results of their X-ray diffraction analysis are presented. Data on the influence of organomontmorillonite content on the tensile stress-strain curves, elastic modulus, strength, and ultimate elongation of the nanocomposites are obtained. The concentration dependences of elastic properties of materials with differently oriented platelike nanoparticles is analyzed by using an algorithm elaborated for stepwise calculations of elastic constants with account of the features of structural hierarchy of intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposites. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 375–388, May–June, 2006.     

Multicriteria optimization of a rectangular composite plate subjected to longitudinal thermal stresses and buckling in shear loading

The multicriteria optimization of the structure and geometry of a laminated anisotropic composite plate subjected to thermal and shear loading is considered. From the known properties of the monolayer and given values of variable structural parameters, the thermoelastic properties of the layered composite are determined. The optimization criteria — the critical shear load and the longitudinal thermal stresses — depend on two variable design parameters of composite properties and temperature. In the space of optimization criteria, the domain of allowable solutions and the Pareto-optimal subregion are found. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 85–92, January–February, 2007.     

Behavior of concrete cylinders confined by carbon composite 2. Prediction of strength

The mechanical behavior of round concrete cylinders confined by a carbon-epoxy composite wrapping is analyzed concerning the increased concrete compression strength due the wrapping. It is shown that the loading trajectories in the normalized stress space fit into a single master curve for all the concrete batches and jacket thicknesses investigated. The loading paths ended at failure of the composite wrapping from the increased internal lateral pressure. The strength of the composite was determined by split-disc tests of composite rings, but the strength of composite jackets realized on concrete specimens did not reach the strength of the rings. Therefore, a coefficient of composite strength reduction was introduced. A simple formula for predicting the strength of confined concrete is derived, and a comparison with fib (fédération internationale du béton) recommendations for strength predictions is given. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 165–178, April–May, 2006.     

Moisture absorption and mechanical and acoustic responses in shear of a glass fiber fabric/epoxy resin composite

An analysis of the mechanical and acoustic responses of a laminate composed of 12 layers of glass fiber fabric/epoxy resin and conditioned in environments with relative humidities of 0, 60, and 96% RH at 60°C is presented. The first part of the study consists in following the weight gain according to the duration of hygrothermal conditioning, and the second part—in test ing 45°-oriented specimens in uniaxial tension up to failure at constant imposed displacement rates, with registrating the acoustic emission to track the damage process. The influence of moisture content in the material showed up as a significant decrease in its shear modulus, shear stress, and acoustic emission with growing quantity of absorbed water. An exponential function is proposed for describing the relationship between the varying shear modulus and the shear strain. Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 595–602, September–October, 2007.     

Deformation behavior and strength of unidirectional carbon fiber laminates

The elastic deformation behavior and the load-carrying capacity of unidirectional carbon fiber laminates under static loading at room and cryogenic (down to 77 K) temperatures are investigated. The possible ways of predicting their elastic and strength characteristics proceeding from the volume content and mechanical parameters of fibers and matrix are analyzed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 583–598, September–October, 2006.     

Dependence of thermooxidative aging parameters on composite properties

An analytical relationship between the thermooxidation rate constants and mechanical properties of composite materials under isothermal and dynamic conditions is obtained. With the example of epoxy-based composites, it is shown that the kinetic parameters of thermooxidation can be used to predict the internal stresses and breakdown voltage of coatings. The calculated drop in the impact toughness exceeds its experimental value by 30%, while the calculated relative breaking elongation is 1.5–2 times greater than the experimental one. A considerable decrease in these indices is observed at a loss of 0.1–1 wt.% of volatile products of thermooxidation. Submitted to the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000). Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 237–248, January–February, 2000.     

Rheological and dynamic thermomechanical propert ies of epoxy composites reinforced with single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

An epoxy resin (Epon 828) was filled with single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT and MWCNT) in two steps by using the high shear mixing and ultrasonication techniques. The melt flow of the composites was characterized in a plate/plate rheometer. The thermomechanical properties of the composites were determined in dynamic mechanical analysis tests performed at various frequencies and temperatures. It was found that the incorporation of SWCNT or MWCNT increased the viscosity and stiffness of epoxy above its glass-transition temperature. The time-temperature superposition principle was employed to estimate the storage modulus of the composites as a function of frequency (f = 10^–33–10³ Hz) in the form of master curves.